On Sunday, November 12th, we decided it was time to go to SXM again. Found a last minute trip with Air Transat leaving on the 18th and signed up. Cost was $996.00 CAN each for airfare and hotel at Flamboyant for one week. Flamboyant came with no meals or drinks but that’s O.K. with us. We like to get our own breakfast in the kitchenette provided and then eat out during the day and evening.
Air Transat left Toronto at 3:15 p.m. on the Saturday, to arrive in SXM around 8:45 p.m. local time. However, our pilot was flying to SXM for the first time and after slamming the plane down on the runway, exited on the wrong taxiway. He then could not turn around without hitting a large number of small planes that were parked there. We sat there while they brought out a tractor to pull us to the terminal building.
The new airport terminal is amazing. I have never seen anything like it on a Caribbean island. A few more escalators to take passengers from one level to another would be great but generally I think it’s really neat!
After collecting our bags, we walked right out to the car rental agency. The car rental folks are now inside the terminal, you can’t miss them as you exit the baggage pick-up area.
There is a fair amount of parking at the new airport, with more being laid out when we were there. We did notice that the passenger parking lot was absolutely jammed full every day that we passed. We were told that that was due to the fact that the staff parking lot was not yet complete and also due to the fact that, as yet, there is no charge for parking there. As soon as the staff lot is finished, they will start charging for parking in the passenger lot.
This was our 7th stay with the Flamboyant and usually they give us an upgrade on the room. If we pay for a Garden View (which is usually a view of a parking lot) they have given us rooms with a view of the beach, pool, lagoon, etc. in the past. Last time they gave us a suite, which was not really that great but we appreciate the fact that they recognize return guests in some way. Also, last time we were there, the Manager advised us to call when next we booked and let them know so that we would get the upgrade. We did this but still had to haggle with the Front Desk when we got there, as they had us in a room out near the main road. Since my husband never takes ‘No’ for an answer on this type of thing, after a call to the Manager, we ended up in a room with a view of the pool, beach and lagoon. Another couple, checking in at the same time as we did, was also dissatisfied, as return guests, with their room, but did not get it changed. My husband said he felt bad for them but was not about to take up their cause.
Sunday we drove around the island, checking out the beaches and all the construction and areas with signs saying ‘traffic situation changed’. There are a fair number of these, adding to the confusion on the roads. Also, construction around the airport made for some additional slowdowns. However, the traffic around the end of the runway and down to the bridge was not as bad as I expected.
Went into P’burg to shop on the Monday. Had a great time in DK Jewelers. One of the staff there showed me a 5.1 carat diamond ring, which he felt I should have at this stage of my life. My husband balked at the $38,000.00 US price tag – I wonder why? – but did let me buy some diamond earrings, so I was quite happy.
We went to Orient beach two days and spent time with our friends at Le String. Witnessed what we thought was the filming of a XXX movie one day, only to be told that the two couples involved had merely gotten carried way after knocking back too many margarita’s! Caused quite a stir on the beach, I can tell you. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" />
We went to Casino Royale a couple of times. Found that the machines do not pay off very much and also keep jamming up when you go to cash out. However, the last day we were there, I hit three 7’s with 3 coins in the machine and won back everything I had lost previously.
Took a day trip to Anguilla, taking the ferry from Marigot. $30.00 per person round trip, including departure tax. Rented a car for the day - $20.00 for driver’s license and $30.00 for the car. Not sure how they issue you a driver’s license so quickly. No one even asked if we could drive.
Drove to Shoal Bay and had lunch. Drove around to look at other changes. My husband worked there some years ago and is always interested to see what is happening now. Glad to say that the people have not changed. They are still friendly and very helpful, everywhere you go.
We got a tour of the new golf course. Wow! It is really amazing. And only $415.00 for a round of golf right now. Locals pay much less, of course.
A few other bits of information:
Food: We ate at Cherie’s and found it to be as it usually is – a variety of reasonable menu items, nothing too extreme, but large servings. Had the mahi-mahi – not bad.
Ate mahi-mahi at Lee’s Grill – much better!
Had snapper at the Talk of the Town in Grand Case. I really like their food, especially all the local stuff. Had Creole sausage, beans and rice and fried plantain. Yum. I could eat there every day.
Had lunch one day at Pedro’s. Food was good but I was very disappointed. No one dancing the Macarena in the altogether this time!
One night, coming home late and feeling hungry, we stopped and picked up a pizza at Japala Pizza, in the plaza near our hotel in Nettle Baie, near the Royal Food Store. Great thin crust, you wait while they make it to order, so it is very fresh and the Manager said that they would deliver to the hotel. Must remember that for next time.
Gas: Cost us $40.00US to fill up a Daihatsu Terios from empty.
Mosquitoes: Yikes! They like me, they really like me and I’m still scratching the bites. I finally took to wearing insect repellent day and night, along with repellent bands on my ankle and repellent patches on my clothes. We stopped for gas one night and when I wound down the car window to say ‘Fill ‘er up!’ the car filled up with a cloud of the little buggers! At night, you could hear them whining around your ears. Not good!
Weather: Pretty good. It did rain on Tuesday afternoon, quite heavily, while we were on the beach. It also rained quite often at night and came down for a while on Friday morning. Other than that, warm and sunny.
Sorry to say we did not make it to the TTOL Party on the 24th. Got back late from Anguilla but it sounds like the party was a success. Hope to make one next trip.
We’ll probably go back again in the Spring of 2007. a little extra sunshine and warmth at the beginning and in the middle of winter helps us to get through winter in the Great Frozen North.
Hope some of this is entertaining and/or informative. I’m not sure why I included so much info about costs but if it is useful to others, then I guess it’s O.K. Cheers!
